Search Continues for Man Who Went Missing After Boat Capsized

Authorities are still looking for a man who disappeared after a boat carrying him, another adult and a 2-year-old child capsized in an Alabama river last weekend. 

The Spanish Fort Police Department said in a news release that the incident happened on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 15, on the Blakey River just north of the causeway. 

Authorities added that all three people fell into the water after the boat capsized. 

“The adult male and the two-year-old were able to make it safely to shore,” said the Spanish Fort Police Department. “However, the second adult male remains missing.”

Police did not identify the missing boater, however, AL.com, Fox affiliate WALA and CBS affiliate WKRG reported that the person is John DeJonge, 40, of Baldwin County, according to family members. 

David DeJonge, the missing man’s brother, told WKRG that John is a quiet and intelligent man who loved his two children. 

According to Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber, the 17-foot John boat experienced engine trouble while on the Blakey River. 

“When they were working on the engine, the boat actually capsized,” Barber said, WALA reported. “All three of the individuals ended up in the water.”

The adult male and his small child survived, said authorities.

“The father and the two-year-old were able to make it back to shore swimming with the boat as a flotation and then made it to the causeway where they waved down help. We received a phone call after 7:15 last night,” Barber said. 

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“It’s February,” he added. “The water is cold. Time in the water is crucial and we know with the young child that his body core temperature was dropping really quickly and so had he been in the water much longer, it would have been very challenging.”

The department said that search operations were conducted but later halted due to severe weather conditions. The search resumed Sunday morning, Feb. 16.

Alysia DeJonge, who AL.com identified as John’s sister, shared a Facebook post stating that those with a boat who want to join in the search can meet her and others at Meaher State Park on the morning of Monday, Feb. 17.

“We appreciate all of you who have checked on us and thank you for the prayers,” she wrote. 

Among the agencies taking part in the search in addition to the Spanish Fort Police Department  include the Daphne Fire Department,  North Baldwin Search and Rescue, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, per AL.com

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the missing man,” said the Spanish Fort Police Department. 

PEOPLE reached out to the Spanish Fort Police Department and Alysia DeJonge on Feb. 17 but did not immediately hear back.